Pages

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

A Modern Manifesto

I do a lot of thinking about who am I as a modern quilter, how I fit in with the aesthetic, what my voice is, where I want to go and how I want to evolve and change. Next weekend is my last traveling for about a month and having that much time to sew finally gives me a chance to create some of the pieces I've been thinking about for the last year.

I had the idea to make a quilt that is my Modern Manifesto, a personal mission statement that could guide my work for 2015. I've thought long and hard about the words that might appear on this quilt. This is my first stab at the design. It's a lot of letters on a quilt, but I think it could work.

Placing words into a mix always helps crystallize the thinking process, nailing it down to build on it again. Interesting words, and thoughts; to see them take shape in your quilt will be a good journey.

Fascinating project!!! The only word I have a problem with is "modern". Not just because this word, in quilting, seems to have more and more meanings and therefor less and less distinctive meaning. But especially because, for me, it seems, by its typography (and its presence?), part of the elements that constitute your definition, whereas it is the key-word that all the other words intend to define.

I look forward to seeing you back here, since I haven't had the pleasure of seeing you in real life this year!

I think I'd like this thought piece more if the colors didn't all play so nicely in the same range -- more along the lines of Amanda-Jean Nyberg's recent "Mustard Mishap" (or any number of your own color-mixed creations).

Somehow "grounded" doesn't seem to describe you and your style. It fights with rebellious and conjures up thoughts of kids being grounded for being rebellious, maybe rebellious in a good and creative way. I was looking at some synonyms -disciplined - maybe. No, because improv quilting isn't disciplined. Need a thesaurus. But what you left out is that you are a teacher, creative educator and life long learner. Maybe one of those could take the place of grounded. Nice going. And hope to meet you at QuiltCon.

What a terrific idea! It will be stunning to say the least. You didn't ask but I will add my 2 cents for what it's worth. From all I have seen of your work I would never conjuure up "simple" or "edited" when you come to mind. The opposite is certainly true though. I would love to see this idea expressed with your signature bold, bright, saturated colors. Can't wait to see how this evolves. Will you be quilting these statements like you teach in your Craftsy class? I hope so, because that surely would be a knockout!

This is a great exercise and a quilt to affirm your commitment/mission is a solid reminder. The colors appear in the raspberry family on my screen. Like them. Thought, I'm loving the new 2015 Pantene color, Marsala, rich and sultry and earthy. I read your intro to this post and found the words: evolve, change, voice, create. The following words of mine are what your work means to me: challenge, test, innovate, lead, rethink, abbreviate, express, teach, learn, stretch, exhibit. It's all a moving target.

I am trying very hard not to bristle at "modern". All of the words you use describe not just modern but amazing characteristics of quilters far back into history. It feels disrespectful of you since quilting has been evolving and changing for many years and we have all benefited. I feel put down by you. Sometimes I feel that modern has become buying a matching bundle of fat quarters and making a quilt - not as hard as trying to use your limited scraps and the little selection of fabrics they had available. Perhaps being wasteful of resources could be included in the description for modern. A spoiled society with disposable income that fancies themselves as innovative but are simply one more cog in a wheel. I'm disappointed that you are so anxious to separate yourself and that you see yourself as so different from women before you.

Discourse, disagreement, debate -- that's how we learn, how we solidify our positions. If we only listen to our cheerleaders we begin to believe that we are indeed as awesome as they tell us we are.Listen & learn.

Just a thought: all the suggested words are Jacquie's. They are how she sees her place in this quilting journey we are all on. As each of us read her words we take them in through the "veil" of our reality and come with definitions attached that may reflect better who we are and not Jacquie. It MUST be allowed. It is a valid statement of who she is and how she she sees HER path. Please, allow her that as she allows you yours. The word "Modern" may have as many meanings as there are readers but, generally, let's say it means "Today".....an amalgam of all that has come before interpreted with the 'eye' of "today" and go forward appreciating each quilt artist's contribution! Blessings and hugs to all my quilty friends.............

You know what? I love it all!! I love old grayed civil war fabrics, I love modern brights, I love thirties fabrics. Most of all, I love interacting with all you wonderful quilters and seeing your work. Scraps or new fabric, whatever floats your boat...I love sharing your creative dreams. So carry on, each of you, whether you describe yourself as a modern quilter or a scrappy quilter or a traditional quilter...we all have so much to offer and to share! Thank you all for your work! Let's all encourage each other!

Lovely response Jacquie. And well said treadlemusic above. I think your personal feelings about your quilt and your work are just that -- whether you choose to share them or not. You are an inspiration to so many of us. A big part of the evolution that goes on and on.

Follow by Email

Digital Portfolio

Join Me on Craftsy

Join Me On Craftsy

The Book!!!

welcome to tallgrass prairie studio

i am a mom of two young men and wife to my fabulous, supportive hubby. i love modern quilts and doing my own thing. feel free to look around and check out my work. questions? drop me an email at jgeringirre at yahoo dot com or leave a comment.
thanks! enjoy the day.

Because Nice Matters!

quilting basics

tallgrass prairie studio flickr group

inspired by something you see here? made something with my instructions? show it off here!

Copyright...Play Fair!

All content on this site is (C) 2008 - 2010, all rights reserved, by Jacquelyn Gering. Please respect my copyright by not publishing my photots, text, patterns or tutorials without my permission. Blog links are always welcome.